FRANKLIN COUNTY – This Tuesday, June 11, Maine will hold primary elections to determine the lead candidate for each qualified party in federal, state, and local races. Party candidates who are elected in the primary qualify to appear on the November General Election ballot. In addition, a number of towns will vote on local issues such as school budgets at the same time.
Maine currently has five qualified parties: Democratic, Green Independent, Libertarian, No Labels and Republican that may participate in primary elections. Unenrolled candidates may choose to designate themselves as “Independent,” although there is no “Independent” party in Maine. As such, unenrolled candidates would not appear on the ballot during the primary elections.
Historically, unenrolled voters do not have any input in the primary elections, as the primary elections are for individual parties to put forth their candidate for the general election. However, per Maine Title 21A, as of January 2024 unenrolled voters may choose to vote in one party primary. An unenrolled voter does not have to enroll in a party to vote in the primaries, but they will not be allowed to vote in the primary for more than one party. For example, an unenrolled voter who chooses the Republican primary ballot is not considered to be enrolled in that party, and they may not also request a Democrat ballot for that same primary.
All registered voters, those enrolled in a party and those who are unenrolled, will be able to vote for any candidate who qualifies for the general election in November, or to choose a write-in candidate if they desire.
The candidates listed below are running for positions that represent towns within Franklin County. The full spreadsheet of candidates can be found on the Secretary of State’s website.
Many of these positions have just one candidate running from each party, limiting the races in the primaries. Races to watch include the U.S. Congress with Republican candidates Austin Theriault and Michael Soboleski, and Maine Senate District 19 with Republican candidates David Duguay and Joseph Martin.
Effective November 5, 2024, Franklin County will have five commissioner districts instead of three. While the board of commissioners will continue to operate with three members until November, the five districts are included in the primary elections.
The Franklin County districts which will go into effect in November are as follows:
District 1: Temple, Wilton and Farmington, the portion west of the Sandy River. This term will run from 2024 to 2028.
District 2: Remaining part of Farmington. This term will run from 2024 to 2028.
District 3: Avon, Carthage, Coplin Plantation, Eustis, UT of North Franklin (Davis Twp, Lang Twp, Tim Pond Twp, Stetsontown Twp, Seven Ponds Twp, Alder Twp, Jim Pond Twp, Kibby Twp, Chain of Ponds Twp, Skinner Twp, Coburn Gore, Merrill Strip Twp, Beattie Twp, Lowelltown Twp, Gorham Gore, Massachusetts Gore), Phillips, Rangeley, Rangeley Plantation, Sandy River Plantation, South Franklin (Perkins Twp, Washington Twp), Strong, Weld, West Franklin (Township D, E, and 6). This term will run from 2024 to 2028.
District 4: Carrabassett Valley, Dallas Plantation, East Central Franklin (Mt Abram Twp, Salem Twp, Freeman Twp, Redington Twp, Madrid Twp), Industry, Kingfield, New Sharon, New Vineyard, and Wyman Twp. This term will run from 2024 to 2026.
District 5: Chesterville and Jay. This term will run from 2024 to 2026.
U.S. Congress:
Jared Golden is the only Democrat candidate for Maine’s Second District. Republican candidates are Austin Theriault of Fort Kent and Michael Soboleski of Phillips.
Maine Senate District 5:
Russell Black, Republican, and Kathleen O’Donnell, Democrat, are the only candidates in their respective primary races.
Senate District 5 includes Carrabassett Valley; Chesterville; East Central Franklin UT; Farmington; Industry; Kingfield; New Sharon; New Vineyard; Strong; Wilton; and Wyman Township.
Maine Senate District 19:
Bruce Bryant is the only Democrat candidate for Senate District 19. Republican candidates are David Duguay and Joseph Martin.
Senate District 19 includes Avon; Carthage; Coplin Plantation; Dallas Plantation; Eustis; Jay; North Franklin UT; Phillips; Rangeley; Rangeley Plantation; Sandy River Plantation; South Franklin UT; Temple; Weld; and West Central Franklin UT.
Maine House of Representatives District 58:
Daniel Newman, Democrat, is the only listed candidate for Maine House District 58.
House of Representatives District 58 includes New Sharon.
Maine House of Representatives District 73:
Vincent House, Democrat, and Kevin Scott, Republican, are the only candidates in their respective races for Maine House District 73.
House of Representatives District 73 includes Carrabassett Valley; East Central Franklin UT; Kingfield; Wyman Township; Coplin Plantation; Dallas Plantation; Eustis; North Franklin UT; Phillips; Rangeley; Rangeley Plantation; Sandy River Plantation; West Central Franklin UT; Alder Stream Township; Coburn Gore Township; Jim Pond Township; Lang Township; Freeman Township; Madrid Township; and Salem Township.
Maine House of Representatives District 74:
Republican Randall Hall and Democrat Gregory Kimber are the only candidates in their respective races for Maine House District 74.
Maine House of Representatives District 74 includes Industry; New Vineyard; Strong; Wilton; Avon; Carthage; Temple/ Weld; Perkins Township; Washington Township; and South Franklin UT.
Maine House of Representatives District 75:
Republican Randall Gauvin and Democrat Scott Landry are the only candidates in their respective races for Maine House District 75.
Maine House of Representatives District 75 includes Chesterville and Farmington.
Maine House of Representatives District 76:
Democrat Samuel Howes and Republican Sheila Lyman are the only candidates in their respective races for Maine House District 76.
Maine House of Representatives District 76 includes Jay, Livermore Falls, and part of Livermore.
Register of Probate for Franklin County:
Heidi Jordan, Republican, is the only listed candidate for Register of Probate in Franklin County.
Franklin County Sheriff:
Scott Nichols, Republican, is the only listed candidate for Sheriff in Franklin County.
Franklin County Commissioners District 1:
Ryan Morgan, Republican, is the only listed candidate for Franklin County District 1.
District 1 includes Temple, Wilton and Farmington, the portion west of the Sandy River. This term will run from 2024 to 2028.
Franklin County Commissioners District 2:
Democrat Fenwick Fowler and Republican Erik Johnson are the only candidates in their respective races for Franklin County District 2.
District 2 includes the remaining part of Farmington. This term will run from 2024 to 2028.
Franklin County Commissioners District 3:
Republican Thomas Skolfield is the only listed candidate for Franklin County District 3.
District 3 includes Avon, Carthage, Coplin Plantation, Eustis, North Franklin UT (Davis Twp, Lang Twp, Tim Pond Twp, Stetsontown Twp, Seven Ponds Twp, Alder Twp, Jim Pond Twp, Kibby Twp, Chain of Ponds Twp, Skinner Twp, Coburn Gore, Merrill Strip Twp, Beattie Twp, Lowelltown Twp, Gorham Gore, Massachusetts Gore), Phillips, Rangeley, Rangeley Plantation, Sandy River Plantation, South Franklin UT (Perkins Twp, Washington Twp), Strong, Weld, West Franklin UT (Township D, E, and 6). This term will run from 2024 to 2028.
Franklin County Commissioners District 4:
Robert Carlton, Republican, is the only listed candidate for Franklin County District 4.
District 4 includes Carrabassett Valley, Dallas Plantation, East Central Franklin UT (Mt Abram Twp, Salem Twp, Freeman Twp, Redington Twp, Madrid Twp), Industry, Kingfield, New Sharon, New Vineyard, and Wyman Twp. This term will run from 2024 to 2026.
Franklin County Commissioners District 5:
Republican Jeffery Gilbert and Democrat Gary McGrane are the only candidates in their respective races for Franklin County District 5.
District 5 includes Chesterville and Jay. This term will run from 2024 to 2026.
Local Issues:
Local issues on the June 11 ballot include, but are not limited to, the school budgets for MSAD 58, RSU 9, and Rangeley Lakes Regional School.
Candidates who win their races in the primary will qualify for the General Election ballot in November, at which time candidates will compete against those from opposing parties along with unenrolled and write-in candidates for the seat in question.
At the General Election in November, voters will also cast ballots for U.S. Presidential candidates. The Presidential primary was held in March.
